Questions and Answers
What is dystocia?
Difficult labor.
What are the main components of the labor process?
What is dysfunctional labor?
A more current term used for inertia.
What does inertia refer to?
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What are common causes of dysfunctional labor? (Select all that apply)
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What is the role of uterine contractions during labor?
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What hormone dramatically increases the strength and frequency of uterine contractions?
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What characterizes hypotonic contractions?
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How many contractions occur during hypotonic contractions in 10 minutes?
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What is the resting tone of hypertonic contractions?
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During which phase of labor do hypertonic contractions occur?
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What may cause hypertonic contractions?
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What is precipitate labor?
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What facilitates precipitate labor?
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What are some risks for babies when precipitate labor occurs?
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What are some signs and symptoms of precipitate labor? (Select all that apply)
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What are some risks for mothers during a precipitate labor? (Select all that apply)
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Study Notes
Dystocia
- Defined as difficult labor indicating complications during childbirth.
Main Components of Labor
- Power: Refers to uterine contractions responsible for moving the fetus through the birth canal.
- Passenger: Represents the fetus.
- Passageway: Indicates the birth canal.
- Psyche: Encompasses the perception and emotional response of the woman and her family regarding labor.
Dysfunctional Labor
- Current terminology for inertia, indicating ineffective labor patterns.
Inertia
- A term describing sluggish uterine contractions resulting in weak labor force.
Common Causes of Dysfunctional Labor
- Inappropriate use of analgesia.
- Pelvic bone contraction narrowing the birth canal, e.g., rickets.
- Poor fetal position, specifically head extension rather than flexion.
- Uterine overdistention from conditions like multiple gestation or hydramnios.
- Cervical rigidity due to full rectum or urinary bladder impeding fetal descent.
- Maternal exhaustion or first-time labor (primigravida status).
Uterine Contractions
- Fundamental mechanism propelling the fetus through the birth canal.
Oxytocin
- Hormone that significantly increases uterine contraction strength and frequency; can initiate labor if necessary.
Hypotonic Contractions
- Occur post-analgesia or due to complications like uterine overstretching or laxity (e.g., grand multiparity).
Contraction Frequency
- During hypotonic contractions, only 2-3 contractions may occur within a 10-minute period.
Hypertonic Contractions
- Characterized by excessive uterine activity; typically 15 mmHg is the resting tone.
- Results from multiple pacemakers stimulating contractions or myometrial fibers failing to relax post-contraction.
Latent Phase
- Stage of labor where hypertonic contractions are most prevalent.
Precipitate Labor
- Defined as very rapid labor, characterized by intense contractions leading to quick delivery.
Facilitators of Precipitate Labor
- Conditions such as grandmultiparity or the induction of labor with oxytocin can increase the likelihood of precipitate labor.
Risks for Fetus in Precipitate Labor
- Potential occurrence of subdural hemorrhage due to rapid delivery.
Risks for Mother in Precipitate Labor
- Possible birth canal lacerations, uterine bleeding, shock, and increased risk of infection.
Causes of Precipitate Labor
- Strong, efficient uterine contractions.
- A smooth birth canal facilitating rapid delivery.
- Previous history of precipitate labor.
- Smaller than average fetal size.
- Labor induction through prostaglandin use or fertility treatments.
Signs and Symptoms of Precipitate Labor
- Sudden onset of closely spaced intense contractions.
- Persistent and painful contractions.
- Urge to bear down, resembling a bowel movement.
- Immediate need to pass stools.
Risks for Babies during Precipitate Labor
- Increased likelihood of infections or aspiration of meconium and amniotic fluid during rapid delivery.
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Description
Explore the complexities of dystocia and dysfunctional labor in childbirth. This quiz covers the primary components of labor, their significance, and common causes leading to ineffective labor patterns. Test your understanding of the factors affecting labor dynamics.
